Interim Recommendation for Evaluation

Interim Recommendation for
Evaluation of Passengers from Japan
March 23, 2011
The US Government has recommended US citizens leave the area 50 miles around the Fukushima Nuclear Power
Plant and has authorized a voluntary departure order from Japan. Many people are traveling from Japan to the
United States directly and via numerous travel hubs.
Current US government risk assessments do not indicate a public health threat to the United States from
contaminated material or people from Japan. Consequently, active screening of passengers at the point of
embarkation from Japan or on arrival to the United States is not warranted.
Passengers returning to the United States routinely pass radiation detection devices when clearing Customs and
Border Protection (CBP). CDC is providing additional guidance to CBP officers for referral of passengers who are
identified as being potentially contaminated with radioactive material. Traveler compliance with these
recommendations is voluntary.

Traveler Education Plan
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The traveling public will be informed via standard CDC communications methods, social media, and the CDC
Traveler’s Health website.

Suggested CBP Protocol for Traveler Screening
CBP frontline personnel are equipped with personal radiation detectors (PRDs) that can detect radioactive
materials, and all airports have more sensitive radiation isotope identification devices (RIIDs) to confirm both the
quantity and type of radiation encountered.
Travelers who activate a PRD will be taken to secondary screening for an interview and further screening. CBP
will follow standard protocols.
A. Travelers ≤2× background: Travelers who test ≤2× background and whose travel history is compatible with
travel in Japan since March 11 will be given a travel health alert notice (T-HAN) and released.
B. Travelers >2× but ≤20× background: Travelers who test >2× but ≤20× background will be asked to change
into their own clean clothes and wash exposed skin surfaces, such as hands and face, and then be rescreened.
Any traveler who tests >2× but ≤20× background during initial screening or rescreening will be asked to
provide their contact information if they wish to have a follow-up telephone call from CDC staff for personal
consultation and interpretation of results. The results of their screening will be transmitted via secure
password-protected email from CBP to NOC, to SOC, to CDC. Travelers will be given T-HANS and released.
C. Travelers >20× background: Travelers who test >20× background will be asked to change into their own
clean clothes, wash exposed skin surfaces, such as hands and face, and then be rescreened. If the traveler is
≤20× background after rescreening, CBP will follow the protocol for travelers in category B. If the traveler
remains >20× background, CBP will call the state radiation control officer, who will decide whether onsite or
at-home decontamination is more appropriate. If the traveler elects to leave the federal inspection station
without waiting for or not heeding the advice of state authorities, CBP will call state health authorities and
provide the traveler’s contact information for follow-up.
Note: CDC requests to receive daily reports of the test results of any Japan traveler
who is above 2× background after CBP secondary screening, even if the traveler does
not complete the traveler contact information form.
US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CS218556

Interim Recommendation for
Evaluation of Passengers from Japan
The T-HAN contains the following information:
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Tells travelers they have tested positive for radioactive materials.

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Encourages travelers to take first steps to decontaminate at the airport (remove clothing and personal
belongings, place in plastic bag and store in secure place, wash hands and face, and change into clean
clothes).

•

Gives travelers instructions for decontamination at home.

•

Gives travelers information about how to decontaminate pets.

•

Refers travelers to state radiation control programs for advice about contaminated belongings.

•

Instructs travelers to contact their local poison control center, state or local health department, or
medical provider should they have questions about radiation exposure and health.

•

Provides contact information for poison control, state and local health departments, state radiation
control programs, and CDC.

US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention